Man City vs Watford preview, predictions & possible XIs
Manchester City’s quest to get back on track after a surprise loss to Norwich City begins, domestically at least, with a home game against Watford on Saturday.
The champions fell to a shock 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road last weekend. They eased to a 3-0 win away against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, but they have already drifted five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool at this early stage.
Meanwhile, Watford picked up just their second point of the season but put in an impressive display in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Vicarage Road.
But will Quique Sanchez Flores manage to pull off an unlikely result against Pep Guardiola’s men? Read on for our predictions, possible XIs, key men and more.
When is Man City vs Watford and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: Saturday, 21 September 2019
Kick-off: 3.00 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Man City vs Watford
18 May 2019: Man City 6-0 Watford (FA Cup)
9 March 2019: Man City 3-1 Watford (Premier League)
4 December 2018: Watford 1-2 Man City (Premier League)
2 January 2018: Man City 3-1 Watford (Premier League)
16 September 2017: Watford 0-6 Man City (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Man City (WWWWW) 20-3 Watford (LLLLL)
Ones to watch
Man City: Sergio Aguero
Watford must be sick of the sight of Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian has scored a remarkable 10 goals in just seven appearances against the Hornets, including a hat-trick in a 6-0 win at Vicarage Road in September 2017. After failing to find the net in the FA Cup final back in May, Aguero will be determined to start tormenting Watford once again this weekend.
Currently, he’s scored on a six-game scoring streak in the Premier League, which leaves him just past the halfway mark if he wants to equal Jamie Vardy’s competition record for goals in consecutive matches.
Key stat: No player has attempted more shots than Aguero in the Premier League this season (19).
Watford: Gerard Deulofeu
Gerard Deulofeu can be unplayable at his best. His performance in last season’s FA Cup final was something special, and he looked the most likely player to make an impact for Watford against City in the final. It wasn’t to be in the end, but the Spaniard looked sharp against Arsenal and statistically he has been the hosts’ best attacker so far this season. Could Pep be undone by his countryman?
Key stat: Deulofeu has attempted more shots (15), had more shots on target (5) and created more chances (12) than any other Watford player in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Man City
Fernandinho could play at centre-back again with John Stones (thigh) and Aymeric Laporte (knee) sidelined. Leroy Sane (knee) is also out, while Phil Foden (illness) will have a late fitness test.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Rodi, Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero.
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Watford
Craig Cathcart (thigh) and Troy Deeney (knee) are Watford’s only absentees.
Predicted XI: Foster; Femenia, Dawson, Kabasele, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue; Pereyra, Cleverley, Deulofeu; Gray.
Squawka prediction
Manchester City’s centre-back issues were an obvious factor in last weekend’s defeat at Norwich, but Fernandinho restored some order at the back against Shakhtar Donetsk. And even if City concede one goal, they will quite easily outscore Watford.
Scoreline prediction: Man City 4-1 Watford
